L’Oréal India runs this scholarship to help young women study science after Class 12. Girls who have passed Class 12 and want to study science can apply, and the awards go to young women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The program was established in 2015 and has supported more than 550 young women.
The money covers study costs at a recognised college or university in India. It applies to undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and PhD study in any scientific field, including pure sciences, life sciences, engineering, medicine, cosmetology and pharmacology. The 2025-26 round has closed. The official site shows a “Coming soon” banner, and the official pages I read give no dates for 2026-27.
What you get
For the 2025-26 round, UG students get a fixed scholarship of Rs. 62,500, and PG and PhD students get up to Rs. 1,00,000.
| Level | Amount (2025-26) |
|---|---|
| UG (undergraduate) | Fixed Rs. 62,500 |
| PG and PhD | Up to Rs. 1,00,000 |
The official page says the money can cover tuition, admission, exam fees and books. It can also cover hostel and mess fees, uniforms, devices such as a laptop or mobile, a monthly allowance and research work. Some older listings online quote different amounts. Use the figures above, which come from the program’s 2025-26 details.
Who can apply
- Women only. The program is exclusively for female students.
- UG applicants need at least 85% in Class 12 science. The page sets a minimum of 85% marks in Class 12 science stream.
- PG and PhD applicants need at least 60% in their undergraduate course. The minimum is 60% marks in the undergraduate course.
- Family income: annual family income must not go above Rs. 6,00,000.
- Course: UG students must be in a science-related degree. Applicants in any year qualify except those in their final year. PG and PhD students must be in a postgraduate course in fields such as technology, science, pharmacy, life sciences or biotechnology, and not in the final year.
- Location: Students from across India can apply. Students who completed Class 12 at a private institution are eligible if they are in a UG, PG or PhD course.
Who cannot apply: Children of L’Oréal India and Buddy4Study employees. Students who are still in Class 10 cannot apply, because the scholarship is only for UG, PG or PhD study. Final-year students of either level are not eligible. The official sources do not publish an age limit.
Final selection depends on an admission letter from a recognised college or university in India. The organisers say these criteria can be changed at their discretion.
How to apply
Applications are made online through the Buddy4Study application page for the program.
- Open the application page and click “Apply Now”. Log in with your registered Buddy4Study ID, or register with your email, mobile or Google account if you are new.
- On the application form page, click “Start Application”. Fill in the required details and upload the necessary documents.
- Read the Terms and Conditions, accept them, and click “Preview”.
- Check that the details on the preview screen are correct, then click “Submit” to complete the application.
The apply page I could read is headed for the 2025-26 round, so check it again when the next round opens.
Documents you need
- Proof of identity and address, such as Aadhaar, a passport or a voter ID.
- One self-attested parent income proof: an income certificate from a government body, a salary slip from a permanent employer, or Form 16.
- Photos of your original Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, and your latest semester or year mark sheet. If your last semester result is awaited, the mark sheet for the semester before it is used.
- Proof of admission at your current institution, such as an admission letter or ID card.
- Receipts for expenses in the current academic year.
- Certificates for science activities, if you have any.
- A Statement of Purpose and a recent passport-size photograph.
How students are selected
Students are shortlisted on merit from Class 10 and 12 board results, financial need, and science activities such as awards, projects and research papers. The weight given to each may vary.
Top performers are invited to a telephonic interaction round and then a final in-person interview before the L’Oréal panel. Selected students receive provisional scholarship offer letters. Funds are released after the student accepts the undertaking.
Renewal
The official pages I could read do not explain how the scholarship is renewed for later years, or what marks you need to keep it. Ask the Scholarship Cell before you plan the full course.
Important dates
For the 2025-26 round, the application date was September 26, 2025, and the application deadline was November 21, 2025. No 2026-27 dates appear on the official pages I read.
Contact
The Scholarship Cell, L’Oréal India, is at 8th Floor, A wing, Marathon Futurex, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013. The phone line is 011-430-92248 (Ext-117), open Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 6 PM.
Official sources
Checked against these official sources on 5 November 2026.
